Romance: Seducing The Quarterback (35 page)

“Hey, lady.  Over here.”  It was only six o’clock, and I was
already exhausted from all of the running.  I had poured at least three rounds
of beer for the group of men who sat at the bar, and they still had demands
that apparently weren’t being met.  I hustled to the end of the bar to see what
they wanted now.

“What can I get you?”  I smiled and then wiped my hands on
my apron which was tied neatly around my new black skirt.

“Well, my buddy here wants a burger and I want another
beer.”  He grinned and then took a sip of his drink.  “And I want to get a
round of shits, too.”  He looked around and all of his buddies, somewhat
inebriated already, nodded with approval. 

“Okay.”  I smiled and wrote down their orders.  “Coming
right up.”  I walked away and then stopped when I saw an arm waving wildly in
the air at me.

“You-who!”  A man with dark hair and a wool hat called out
and leaned across the bar.  “Can you fill her up?”  He held his empty mug in
the air and I nodded my head, then took the empty and set it under the tap.  As
soon as I pulled the lever to fill his beer, a group of five college-aged
students sat down right at the front of the bar and asked for menus. 

For a second, I felt like I might have a bona-fide anxiety
attack.  My heart raced and my hands started to shake.  I had too many requests
all at once, and there was nobody around to help me.  The only other waitress
was on the opposite end of the restaurant, and the bartender who was on next
shift wouldn’t be in for at least two more hours.  It was up to me to get these
people what they wanted.

I poured the draft and then walked to the other end of the
bar to take the students’ orders.  I hadn’t seen Tim all afternoon, and I
guessed that he was probably in the kitchen preparing food.  My feet already
hurt and the smell of the dank beer and the greasy food turned my stomach.  I
didn’t want to get too depressed about my first day, but it would be a lie if I
told anyone that I enjoyed it.

I called Rebecca as soon as I got home and cried.  “It was
awful.”  I wiped my tears and then sniffed into a tissue.  “I don’t know,
Rebecca.  It wasn’t like the people were really mean or anything, but I felt
like I could barely keep up.”  I blew my nose and then sighed.  “I guess I
should have looked for administrative work, instead.”  I shook my head and then
gazed out the window.  Lizzie was all the way out in the corral, and I frowned
when I thought about the possibility of selling her.

“It was your first day, Alyssa.  I would have expected it to
be kind of tough.”  Rebecca didn’t seem alarmed by my call.

“Sorry to just call and dump on you.  I’m just worried
because I’m not in a position to quit, even if I hate it.”  I looked around the
kitchen at all the pictures of Joe and I that had been taken over the years-
one from our Colorado wedding, one from our trip to Yellowstone, another from a
family gathering out in Vancouver.  A part of me wanted to take all the
pictures and just shove them into the drawer somewhere, but another part of me
didn’t think I’d ever have the heart to really say goodbye.

“I think a nice hot bath would be good for you.”  Rebecca
comforted me and then paused when Cherry fought in the background for her
attention. 

“That’s a great idea.  Thanks, Rebecca.  I’ll let you know
how the rest of the weekend goes.”  I smiled and then hung up, relieved that I
had at least gotten the frustration off my chest.  She was right.  It was only
my first day.  I could still find better work down the line, and just keep my
job at avalanche until something better came along. 

I ran some hot water and then cautiously climbed into the
tub.  My feet were sore and my legs were tired.  I wondered how efficient I’d
be at the restaurant once my pregnancy progressed.  What if it only got
harder?  I fought back the desire to slide into a realm of self-pity.  I would
have to make it work, and that was all there was to it. 

I knew that if my parents were still alive, they’d both tell
me to keep my chin up and persevere.  I rested my body in the bubbly water,
confident that I’d summon the strength that would be necessary to see me
through.  I had seen hard times growing up as a girl, and I told myself that
this would just be more character building experience for my life’s journey.  I
picked up a bar of soap and slid it along my legs.  Then I placed it back into
the soap dish, closed my eyes and doze off in the soapy, scented water.

I could see his face clear as day.  His little button nose
was tiny and warm, and his eyes were pale blue.  His hair was dark and it
curled down onto his forehead in a perfect little swirl.  I could almost smell
his breath and feel his petal soft skin.  I leaned forward just as he opened
his mouth to cry and called out his name “Joseph Michael.”  Then I jolted
forward in the tub. 

I reached for a towel and then smiled as I dressed in my
pajamas.  The baby would be here in less than seven months.  I needed to find a
bassinet and clothes.  I needed blanket and book, and maybe some toys.  Where
would I put his nursery?  Would I use the old laundry room down the hall?  My
mind drifted with thoughts of the future, and again I fought the urge to cry. 
Joe would have been so excited to find out that we were having a baby. 

After I was in bed, I thought about what Rebecca had said. 
It was only my first day.  Maybe it would get better.  I rolled over and closed
my eyes, then thought about how great it would be to finally have some money in
my pocket.  I pictured walking into Avalanche the next day with a big smile on
my face.  Maybe someone would leave me a gracious tip and it would make up for
all the running around.  The light from the moon filtered into the room, making
a zig-zag pattern on the bed.  I thought once more about Joseph-Michael, then
finally drifted off to sleep.

When I got up the next morning it was sunny and some of the
snow had started to melt.  I pulled out my black skirt and my red shirt, then
walked into the bathroom and looked at my face in the mirror.  I wondered if
maybe wearing a little mascara would liven up my eyes, so I tried some and then
even applied a little lip-gloss.  I pulled my hair up in a bun and then walked
out of the bathroom and toward the door.

“Good morning, Alyssa.”  My neighbor, Ginger, waved as I got
inside the truck.  I waved back and then started the ignition and made my way
to Avalanche.  When I got there, it was packed as usual.  Tim greeted me when I
entered.

“Hi, Alyssa.  How was your first day?”  He looked at me with
a genuinely interested expression, and I felt a pang of guilt over the fact
that I’d have to lie. 

“It was just great.  I love everyone who works here and the
customers tip really well.”  I smiled and then looked around at the crowd.  My
fatigue was already creeping in and my nausea was rearing its ugly head, as
well.  I hoped that as I got further along in my pregnancy some of these awful
symptoms would subside, but I didn’t know what to expect. 

“Well I’m glad that everything went well.  Tonight we’ll
probably be extra busy since Bozeman College is hosting their annual
fundraiser.”  He smoothed his hands over his jeans and then looked around the
restaurant.  “I’m heading back into the kitchen to work on some of the orders. 
Holler if you need me.”  With that, he was gone, and I remained standing in the
middle of the restaurant, anticipating the flux of customers that were bound to
enter at any minute.

I tied on my apron and then headed to my section which was
on the left side of the restaurant.  “Hey, miss, can you come here a minute?” 
I heard a man’s voice call to me form one of the tables that wasn’t in my
section.  I looked around and didn’t see any other waitresses on the floor.

“Hello.  What can I help you with?”  I smiled and looked at
the man’s face.  He had mysterious green eyes that seemed to give off a subtle
glint, and his thick, wavy hair framed his face with a rugged flair.  He wore a
denim button down with a pair of jeans, and he had a wool scarf tossed over one
shoulder.

“Well…”  He paused and gave me a good once-over.  “I was
hoping to get one of those incredible stouts you have on tap, and I was also
hoping to get your phone number, too.”  He raised his eyebrows and I blushed.  His
comment had taken me completely off-guard and I wasn’t sure how to respond. 

“I’ll go get you the beer.”  I smiled and then walked away
to the bar.  It had been so long since a man had even flirted with me that I
had no idea how to react.  Ever since Joe and I had dated, all of the local men
knew that I was taken, and none of them ever tried to vie for my attention. 
The man at the table was handsome- that was for sure.  Yet I couldn’t even
imagine giving someone my phone number.  I felt like it would be a betrayal to
Joe.

I scurried behind the bar and could feel the man’s eyes on
me.  I reached for a mug, set it under the tap, and poured his beer.  Then I
walked quickly to his table and set it down just as he reached out and handed
me his business card.  “If you’re going to be shy, I’ll just give you my number
first.”  He winked and I placed the beer on top of his table. 

“I’ll be back in a few minutes to see what else you need.” 
I smiled and then disappeared behind the bar.  It was filling up quickly
inside, and Tim’s prediction was true.  By eight o’clock, we had a full house
and most of the clientele was college aged men looking for beer and burgers.  I
waited on a few table and then checked back on the attractive man who had
ordered the beer.

“Looks like you guys have quite the crowd in here tonight.” 
He grinned and then tossed back the last sip of his beer.  I nodded my head.

“That’s an understatement.”  I picked up his empty mug and
then watched as the front door opened and more people filed in.  “I’m actually
heading to the other side to wait on some tables, so if you’d like to order
anything from the menu, just let me know.”  I smiled and then smoothed my hands
over my shirt.  I was self-conscious of looking pregnant, even though it was
still so early. 

“I’ll take another beer.”  He grinned and then leaned
forward in his chair.  “My name’s Christopher, by the way.  I own Bobcat Ranch
down on the ridge.”  He nodded his head and then stared at me with those
glowing, mysterious eyes.  “I’ve got a huge piece of property with lots of
Appaloosas if you’re ever interested in going riding.” His voice was deep and
smooth, and it was hard not to stare at his rough, yet chiseled features.

“I’ll be back in a few minutes.”  I politely walked away,
hoping that he didn’t take offense to my lack of conversation.  When I got to
the bar and poured him another beer, Tim appeared from the kitchen. 

“How’s it going out there tonight?”  He scanned the
restaurant, taking in all the activity. 

“I’m busy, but it’s going well.  Thanks.”  I topped off
Christopher’s beer and was just about to walk away when Tim raised his
eyebrows.  “I see that Christopher Marlow is out tonight.  He’s one of our
regulars.  Good guy.”  Tim raised his eyebrows and then walked away.

For a second I thought about Joe.  What would he make of me
working in a busy restaurant like this?  What would he think of all the young,
drunk men who stumbled out at two a.m. when I was trying to walk to the truck? 
I couldn’t help thinking about him and wondering what he’d have to say. 

“Here you go.”  I set down Christopher’s beer and then
smiled.  He folded his hands on the table and then lifted the frosty drink to
his mouth. 

“Thank you.  Maybe next time I come in you’ll think about
telling me your name.”  He winked and then watched as I turned around to
leave.  I walked to the kitchen to pick up a food order and stood against the
counter.  I was exhausted.  “Okay there?”  One of the waitresses walked by and
checked on me.  I nodded my head and smiled, then closed my eyes for a few
seconds. 

The warm air made me feel sleepier than I already was.  I
opened my eyes and looked at the clock to see how soon before my shift was
over.  Luckily, I had only one hour to go.  I saw my order come up in the
window and slid it onto my tray.  Then I headed back out to my tables.  I
dropped the food off to the right guests, then turned and walked to
Christopher’s table.  I dropped off his check then turned around before he
could speak.  I got about a foot away and stopped in my tracks.  Then I turned
around and took a deep breath. 

“My name’s Alyssa.”  I smiled and then walked away.

Later that night, I sat on the edge of my bed and rubbed my
feet.  Joe used to give me frequent foot massages and I smiled thinking back to
all of his personal touches that I’d never feel again.  I got up and looked out
the window.  Lizzie wandered around the corral and tried to step on top of the
large snow drifts that had settled along the fence.  I thought about calling
Rebecca but decided to just make a cup of tea, instead.  I had to be up early
to work the morning shift, and I wanted to get a good night’s rest.

When I stepped into Avalanche the next day, Christopher was
sitting at the bar.  I remembered Tim telling me that he was a regular, so it
shouldn’t have been much of a surprise.  However, it still caught me off-guard,
and I wondered if he had known that I would be working.  “Good morning,
Alyssa.  It’s nice to see you two days in a row.”  He flashed me his signature
smile and I gave him a polite nod.

I walked to the kitchen and got my apron, then appeared back
on the floor just in time to see him get up from his seat and approach me. 
“Getting some breakfast?”  I didn’t want to be rude by ignoring him, so I tried
to make innocent small talk when he stood before me.

“I am, actually.  I’ve got a tour coming around one, so I
thought I’d get some of the town’s best blueberry pancakes in me before the big
event.”  He winked and then put a hand on my shoulder.  “What are you doing after
work today?  You should stop by the ranch.”  His hand felt warm through my
shirt and I was distracted by the slight twinge of excitement that emanated
from his touch.

“Sorry.  I have to work a double-shift today.”  I walked
away and waited on another table.  After I had taken their order I hustled back
to the bar.  “Can I get you a drink while you’re waiting for your pancakes?”  I
smiled and then looked away.  For reasons still unclear, it felt to me like I
was actually beginning to enjoy his flirtatious game.  How could that be?  I
had just lost the love of my life, and I knew that there was no replacing him. 
Why would I even entertain the thought of being with another man?

“Well, we could always meet up after your shift.  Why don’t
you let me buy you a drink over at Moose Creek Tavern?”  He looked sincere and
it was hard for me to think about turning him down again.  I bit my lower lip
and then thought about how ludicrous it all sounded.  Drinking at a tavern with
a total stranger?  Had I lost my mind?  Besides- I was pregnant.  How much fun
would I really have in that kind of environment?

“I could meet you around seven.”  I tossed my hair over my
shoulder and then looked across the restaurant as the tables filled with
guests.  Christopher’s face lit up.

“You actually said yes.  That’s what I like.”  He winked and
then cocked his head to the side with a playful smile.  “You sure did play hard
to get.”  He chuckled and then folded his hands on the table.  I smiled and
then walked to the back of the waitress station, biting my nails with anxiety. 
What had I just done?  Part of me was shocked with my behavior, and part of me
was excited with the game.

“I guess I’ll see you there.”  I batted my lashes and then
flitted away.  When I got into the kitchen one of the other waitresses grabbed
me by the arm. 

“Girl, I see you out there giving Christopher Marlow the
googly eyes.”  She grinned and then smacked me playfully with a cloth napkin. 

“Oh, hush.”  I rolled my eyes and picked up a clean drink
tray.  “He’s just being polite because he knows I’m new here.”  I tried to
brush her off but she knew better. 

“No.”  she grinned and shook her head.  “I know what googly
eyes look like, and there was no mistaking them out there.”  She laughed and
then scooted away.  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, and I stood there
for a second in disbelief.  I had just agreed to a date, and I actually wanted
to go.  The conflicting emotions didn’t make sense.  How could I be so torn up
from the loss of Joe at the same time that I felt excited by a handsome
stranger?

For the rest of my shift I second-guessed my behavior.  I
had the uncomfortable feeling that I was betraying Joe, even though I knew that
all he ever wanted for me was happiness.  We had been so perfect together that
it sent a wave of confusion through my mind when I realized that I would be
going out with someone else in less than four hours.  How could I be so
double-sided? 

I cleaned up after my tables and then prepared to go home. 
Just as I was walking out the door, Tim approached me from behind the bar. 
“Hey, Alyssa.  You got a minute?”  He walked in his confident yet casual manner
toward me.  “I just wanted to hear about how it’s going.  What do you think
about working at Avalanche?”  I knew that he was genuinely interested in
knowing whether I was happy here. 

“I like it, Tim.”  It was hard to lie to him because he was
truthfully a genuine person, but at the same time I knew better than to tell
him that I loathed waiting on drunk people, that I hated the way my clothes
smelled like barbeque sauce after my shift, that I couldn’t stand how most of
the waitresses gossiped about other employees, that I was so exhausted at the
end of the day that I could barely walk to my truck. 

“I’m glad to hear that, because I was hoping you’d be
interested in picking up a few extra shifts as we approach the holidays.”  He
gave me a hopeful look and I nodded my head with affirmation.

“Sure.  That sounds great.  I could use the extra money.” 
As much as I dreaded the thought of having to spend any extra time inside
Avalanche than I already did, I was also excited at the thought of earning a
little extra money.  The baby would be here in less than five months, and I
still had a lot of bare necessities that needed to be purchased.

“Great.  I’ll fill you in on the dates as soon as I get the
next schedule up.”  Tim smiled and then opened the door to let me out.  I
wrapped my scarf around my neck and then headed out into the sun-drenched
afternoon.  It was only about a fifteen-minute ride home, and I spent all of it
wondering what I’d wear on my date with Christopher. 

When I got inside, I sat down on the couch and closed my
eyes.  The symptoms of my pregnancy had evolved into a sort of persistent
nausea coupled with debilitating fatigue that had so far not responded to any
kind of rest or remedy.  I dropped my head into my hands and thought about
cancelling the date.  I felt awful and I wasn’t so sure that I even wanted to
tell Christopher that I was pregnant, even though it would explain why I often
looked like a sea-sick sailor.

After a few minutes I got up and stood in front of my
closet.  I skimmed through several shirts and skirts, ultimately deciding on a
pair of red leggings and a long, beige sweater.  It was a comforting, yet chic
outfit, and I had the right pair of boots to go with it, as well.  I ran a
brush through my long, thick hair and then looked at my face in the mirror.  My
eyes looked sleepy, yet still alluring.  I had always been told that I looked
like one of those models who could leave the house without a spot of make-up
and still look great.

I admired myself in the full-length mirror, then floated
down the steps and out the back door.  The sky had a pinkish tint to it, and I
watched the clouds roll over the horizon, then sniffed in the cold mountain
air.  “Lizzie.”  I whistled and clucked.  She was in the furthest reaches of
the corral and appeared sleepy.  I often wondered if animals got depressed just
like people did, and I thought about what I’d do with her when the baby came. 
I still didn’t have the heart to sell her, but I knew that there would be no
horse-back riding for me in my pregnant future.

She ambled lazily toward me and then snorted.  I patted her
head and tried to run my hand through her tangled mane.  I knew that Joe would
have taken her out trail riding on a winter day like today, and it filled me
with sadness to know that I simply couldn’t give her as good of a life as he
did.  I looked at my watch and saw that it was almost six-thirty, so I gave her
one last pat and then walked to the truck.

I stepped behind the wheel and turned on the radio, then
drove down the long, gravel road that led to the highway.  I flicked the knob
on the radio and heard a familiar tune
.  “I know that life is gonna be fine,
so long as I got you by my side…by my side, by my side.”
  It was an old
blues song that Joe used to like.  I turned it off and choked back a tear. 
Then I headed on down to the Moose Creek Tavern.